Chapter 146: The Perfect Companion for Midnight Relief

Zhang Chu checked again and again. The brief introduction displayed on the electronic screen for this set of combat techniques was marked in bold with the four characters: "Demon Race Combat Technique."

"Old Zhang is truly bold to dare store a Demon race technique. He is worthy of being the Lord of Binzhou City and the head of the Armaments Division!"

If this were at the Martial Arts Management Bureau, regardless of whether it was an organization or a private individual hoarding Demon techniques, they would be arrested and interrogated immediately, no matter the reason. But the Armaments Division was different. While the Armaments Division and the Martial Arts Management Bureau were peer organizations—one local and one military—they shared the same superior authority: the Martial Suppression Bureau.

"System, can I learn this technique? It's quite impressive even as a fragment."

Zhang Chu had briefly flipped through the technique and found it truly ingenious. Although it was only a fragment, it was sufficient for Zhang Chu, who was at the level of a Dual-Force Warrior. In fact, it could even be used by Spirit Realm practitioners; only those at the Half-Step Qi Refiner level would find it lacking.

Most importantly, this Demon technique, titled "Puppet Art," described methods for utilizing a host-implanted demon. It was exactly what he needed.

"Friendly reminder: Existence is reasonable," the system replied.

"Oh, wow, you actually understand philosophy. Not bad at all." Listening to the system was surprisingly enlightening. He hadn't expected it to say something like that.

Zhang Chu made his decision immediately: "Since it can be placed in the Armaments Division's secret archive, there shouldn't be any harm in learning it."

"Detected that the host is learning the Demon Spirit Realm combat technique, 'Puppet Art' (Fragment). Estimated cost: 20,000 Mental Power points for an accelerated mastery."

"Estimated cost: 500,000 Mental Power points for the system to evolve the complete version of 'Puppet Art.' Do you wish to proceed?"

Sensing Zhang Chu's thoughts, the system presented two red pop-up windows. It could even evolve the complete version? Zhang Chu took a moment to regain his composure. "You damn system, I have to say, you are way too strong."

"The host is strong, therefore I am strong." The system’s flattery hit the spot.

However, Zhang Chu chose the first option: spending 20,000 Mental Power points to achieve accelerated mastery of the fragmented "Puppet Art."

There were three reasons: First, he was currently only a Dual-Force Warrior; even if he had the complete version, he wouldn't be able to utilize its full potential due to his current realm. Second, 500,000 Mental Power points was simply too expensive; that was a matter for the future. Third, Zhang Ziteng had only just awakened. For this complex combat technique to be used to its full potential, it needed time to grow. In other words, it needed to eat well and grow up first; it wasn't ready for battle yet.

Twenty thousand Mental Power points was nothing. He would earn it back in a day at the Brain-Machine Beast Sea.

"Accelerated mastery of 'Puppet Art'!"

The fifth floor of the Armaments Secret Archive had a reading room. Zhang Chu sat on the tatami mat with the book, looking out at the hall through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Soon, the system scanned the 50-page manual, importing it into his sea of consciousness. Through the simulation of an energy avatar, the knowledge was continuously imprinted deep into his soul. Zhang Chu closed his eyes, covering his face with the book as if he had fallen asleep.

"Accelerated mastery complete. Congratulations to the host for learning 'Puppet Art' (Fragment). You can increase your combat proficiency by using it."

As the system’s voice faded, Zhang Chu removed the book from his face, a playful smile appearing on his lips. "Zhang Ziteng, you can't just eat and do nothing from now on."

"Brother, I'm hungry."

Speak of the devil. The vine demon was hidden in his Dantian, eating when hungry, sleeping when full, and then eating again upon waking.

"Do some work first, then eat." Zhang Chu couldn't wait to test the Puppet Art; it was like being granted a second life.

It was one o'clock in the afternoon. Zhang Chu temporarily left the secret archive. In the hall, Bai Lulu was eating and watching a show; it was her lunch break, and she had free time. The smell of her self-heating hot pot filled the air, nearly causing Zhang Ziteng to crawl out of his stomach. "Brother, what is that? It smells so good, I'm so hungry."

"Shut up," Zhang Chu muttered inwardly.

"Brother Chu, you're out so early? Do you want to eat together?" Bai Lulu was surprised to see him. People who went to the secret archive usually stayed until their time was up, and they usually had her deliver food to them.

"I had some insights in the archive just now and want to try them out at the Special Combat Hunting Grounds." Zhang Chu handed over his badge.

"All right." Bai Lulu, familiar with the process, helped him process his entry qualifications for the hunting grounds.

Standing on the teleportation array, Zhang Chu soon appeared in the Special Combat Hunting Grounds. It was a dense forest of thousand-year-old trees. Zhang Chu found the tallest one, leaped up, and sat down in a comfortable position. "Zhang Ziteng, come out and work. Let's test the new technique I learned."

With a flick of his mental power, Zhang Ziteng emerged from his palm, forming the shape of a small child, bouncing on the tree trunk. "The life force here is so abundant; I don't feel hungry anymore."

Hmm? Did these plant-demons of the Spirit Continent also use photosynthesis to eat? Zhang Chu didn't dwell on it. What he needed to do now was test the "Puppet Art." Following the instructions, Zhang Chu formed hand seals, continuously channeling his mental power into Zhang Ziteng’s body.

"Puppet Art? You, a human, have actually learned the Demon race's high-level auxiliary combat technique, 'Puppet Art'!" Zhang Ziteng was shocked to feel its body being controlled.

"You even know about the Puppet Art? Interesting."

"Go!"

With the "Puppet Art" solidified, Zhang Chu waved his hand. Zhang Ziteng grabbed a long vine, jumped off the trunk, and headed straight for a nearby thousand-year-old tree. The next moment, Zhang Chu watched as Zhang Ziteng used "Speed-Multiplier Domain" to stimulate the tree's growth, then absorbed its life force through "Passive Devour."

"Ding! Detected that the host has devoured a ten-thousand-year-old green plant. Mental Power +400!"

Holy crap, it actually works!

Although the "Puppet Art" was a fragment, it recorded a complete usage method: "Using a host-implanted demon as a substitute, one can temporarily utilize any of the host's combat techniques." Zhang Chu had merely sent the intent to devour the plant, and the plant-demon was able to expertly use "Speed-Multiplier Domain" and "Passive Devour."

"Zhang Ziteng, if you want to eat, you have to work hard. In the future, if I don't want to get up to pee in the middle of the night, I'll be relying on you!"

Looking at his personal information panel, his Mental Power had increased by 400. Zhang Chu rested his head in his hands, closed his eyes, and began to sleep. From now on, he wouldn't even need to cultivate personally; his Mental Power would increase while he slept. It couldn't be better.